King Charles and Queen Camilla were hosted at a lavish dinner at the Palace of Versailles in September 2023, which cost the French President’s office nearly €475,000 ($515,000), according to data released by France’s public auditor on Monday.
The British monarch and his wife attended the banquet during a three-day state visit to France.
The extravagant event was attended by around 180 guests, including celebrities like Mick Jagger, Hugh Grant, “Sex Education” star Emma Mackey, and French actress Charlotte Gainsbourg, as reported by local media.
Guests were served an array of gourmet dishes, such as crab cakes, blue lobster, and champagne-marinated chicken. However, this opulent meal contributed to a €8.3 million hole in the Élysée Palace’s budget last year.
The financial watchdog, which reviews the French president’s spending on personnel, security, and foreign missions, noted that expenses related to the Élysée Palace totaled over €125 million ($136 million) in 2023, a 14% increase from the previous year.
This overspending was part of a broader 2023 budget issue for the French government, which drew criticism from the European Union.
France spent over €166,000 ($180,000) on catering for the state dinner, with additional costs for decorations, furniture, and flowers amounting to €42,000 ($46,000).
The audit office stressed the need for “significant efforts” in 2024 to restore and maintain the financial balance of the presidency. It also revealed that France spent €412,000 ($447,000) on a state dinner for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Last month, the European Union formally warned France about its budget deficit, the largest among the 27 member states, with national debt soaring to around 111% of GDP.
The report on France’s expenditure for King Charles’s state dinner sparked reactions from both Britons and the French.
“Ridiculous, said it before and saying it again. By birth they have a privileged life. The monarchy is there to serve. It does not make profit, it does not have a say in ruling this country,” one X user commented.
“Well, surely that is the fault of the French President, not King Charles?” another user questioned, defending the monarch.
“The elites are laughing at us and worse,” another remarked.
While one Briton pointed out, “we did not pay for it, the French did,” a French user responded, “Nice to know that all our sweat and hard work is keeping y’all fed. I’m sure that people using food banks will appreciate it.”
